Recording vs catch-up
| Question | Local recording | Provider catch-up |
|---|---|---|
| What is covered | Anything on any channel | Only supported programmes |
| Storage cost | Local disk space | None; provider archives |
| Requires | Premium plus destination and schedule | Supported service and programme |
| Upkeep | Move or delete files by hand | Nothing to manage |
Confirm the feature and source support
Check the current TiviMate feature list and the controls shown in your app. Feature availability can depend on the version and Premium status. Even when the app offers recording, the source must deliver a stream that can be recorded, and the device must have a writable destination. Do not assume every channel, playlist, or provider supports every recording-related feature.
Choose a suitable storage destination
If you plan to record to USB storage, confirm that the device recognizes the drive and that its file system is supported by the device and app. Check free space and write permissions. Some TV devices mount external storage differently or restrict access to certain folders. Use a dedicated folder if the app allows it, and avoid removing the drive while a recording is in progress.
Estimate how much space you need
A rough estimate is: storage in gigabytes ≈ bitrate in megabits per second × recording hours × 0.45. A 6 Mbps stream recorded for two hours uses roughly 5.4 GB before overhead. Actual size depends on variable bitrate, container overhead, and stream behavior. Leave extra free space rather than planning to fill the drive to its limit.
Set up a short test recording
Before scheduling a long programme, make a short test recording using a stream you are authorized to record. Confirm that the destination is selected, the file is created, and playback works afterward. If the app has a programme-guide recording control, use the option shown in your version and verify the start and end times before relying on it.
Schedule a recording reliably
Check the device clock and time zone, the programme start time, storage capacity, and whether the device must remain awake or powered on. Some devices may restrict background work or turn off external storage when idle. If your device supports power-saving settings, understand their effect before changing them. Schedule a short test in advance to verify the full path.
Recording fails immediately
Check that the destination exists, is writable, and has sufficient space. Confirm that the stream plays normally and that the app has permission to use the destination. If the error occurs only on one channel, the source may be unavailable or incompatible. If all recordings fail, review storage and feature availability before changing unrelated network settings.
Recording stops early or creates a partial file
Check whether the stream disconnected, the device entered sleep mode, storage filled up, or the provider changed availability. Compare a short recording at another time. If the source buffers during live playback, recording may also be incomplete. A larger storage drive cannot fix a stream that is offline or a device that stops the app.
Catch-up is not the same as recording
Catch-up allows a viewer to request content from an earlier broadcast period when the service offers that capability. Local recording captures a stream to storage. Catch-up availability, retention windows, and programme coverage depend on the source. If catch-up is missing, ask the provider whether it is supported for that channel and time period.
Keep recordings and accounts secure
Store recordings where other people cannot access them without permission, and do not distribute copyrighted recordings unless you have the rights to do so. Backups may contain playlist details; protect those files too. If you report a recording error, share the error text and device details without exposing your account URL or credentials.
FAQs
- Can TiviMate record every channel? No; source and feature support vary.
- Will any USB drive work? Not necessarily; format, permissions, and storage support matter.
- Why did a scheduled recording miss its start? Check clock settings, power state, storage, and stream availability.
- Is catch-up a local recording? No, it is content made available by the service.
Storage and reliability checklist
Before a scheduled recording, confirm the drive is mounted, free space is sufficient, the destination is writable, and the device will remain awake if required. Test a short recording and play the resulting file. If you use a USB drive, avoid unplugging it during a recording and check whether the device’s power settings disconnect external storage. Leave headroom for longer-than-expected programmes and bitrate variation.
Estimate a safe capacity buffer
The rough formula in the main guide estimates the stream’s data size, but the actual file may be larger or smaller depending on bitrate and container overhead. Leave extra capacity instead of using the estimate as an exact promise. If a programme is important, avoid scheduling it when the drive is nearly full and verify the source stream is stable in advance.
Diagnose missed schedules systematically
If a recording never starts, check the programme time, device clock, source availability, and schedule configuration. If it starts but stops early, check storage capacity, device sleep, and stream interruption. If the file exists but will not play, test another recording and confirm the file was completed. These are different failure modes and should not all be treated as a USB problem.
Why a recording can differ from live playback
Live playback can appear stable while a long recording fails because the device sleeps, storage fills, the source disconnects, or the app loses permission to write to the destination. Test a recording long enough to expose the suspected issue, but start with a short test to avoid wasting storage. Check the file after completion rather than assuming that a scheduled task succeeded.
Before using a different USB drive
Confirm that the device can mount the drive and that TiviMate can write to the selected folder. Do not reformat a drive without backing up existing files. If the drive works in the operating system but not in the app, check folder permissions and current app guidance before buying new hardware.
Before relying on an important recording
Run a short test under the same device, storage, and power conditions you expect during the real recording. Confirm that the file exists after completion and can be played. Check remaining storage and leave a safety margin for bitrate variation or a programme that runs longer than scheduled. If the device sleeps, disconnects the drive, or loses the stream, a schedule can fail even when the recording setting looked correct. Check the source’s availability and use only content you are authorized to record. If the test fails, identify whether the issue was destination access, storage capacity, stream interruption, or device power behavior before changing multiple settings.